Research findings on whether high doses of vitamin C can keep a cold at bay are mixed. Some naturopaths and physicians think vitamin C can play a key role in preventing or reducing the symptoms of the common cold but many in the health community remain skeptical.

Dr. Mark Levine from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases told LiveScience, "For the average person, vitamin C supplements for colds don't do much of anything, and I don't recommend them. ... Overall I say eat more fruits and vegetables." Dr. Aaron E. Glatt from the Infectious Disease Society of America says, "The general answer is probably not a lot. Vitamin C has a checkered history in terms of some studies showing mild benefits, while other studies do not show benefits for upper respiratory viral infections like the common cold."

Clinical Correlations parses high dose vitamin C clinical data in its report, "Myths and Realities: Does Vitamin C Work for the Common Cold?" However, the report concludes, "As long as you consider the evidence, and adjust your expectations accordingly, there doesn’t appear to be much harm in reaching for some vitamin C when you feel a cold coming on. If, however, you want a more solid endorsement of vitamin C’s effect before heading to the drug store, you’ll just have to wait."

Dr. Stephen Barrett might be the No. 1 skeptic when it comes to high doses of vitamin C and the common cold. Dr. Barrett is the co-founder of the National Council Against Health Fraud and he runs a website called Quackwatch, which seeks to expose health fraud. According to Barrett, two-time Noble Prize winner and biochemist Dr. Linus Pauling has a "dark side" and his "irrational advice about supplements continues to lead people astray."

Pauling is considered the godfather of modern molecular biology and high dose vitamin C, but Barrett says Pauling's "impact on the health marketplace, however, was anything but laudable." He further states, "Pauling is largely responsible for the widespread misbelief that high doses of vitamin C are effective against colds and other illnesses."

Open-access medical journal PLOS Medicine published a study that claimed, "The role of vitamin C in the prevention and treatment of the common cold has been a subject of controversy for at least 60 years." The study examined high doses of vitamin C but despite indicating that some data was "tantalizing," concluded, "The lack of effect of prophylactic vitamin C supplementation on the incidence of common cold in normal populations throws doubt on the utility of this wide practice."

This article is for information only and is not intended as medical advice. Talk with your doctor about your specific health and medical needs.

Research findings on whether high doses of vitamin C can keep a cold at bay are mixed. Some naturopaths and physicians think vitamin C can play a key role in preventing or reducing the symptoms of the common cold but many in the health community remain skeptical.

PLEASE NOTE: All information presented on Newsmax.com is for informational purposes only. It is not specific medical advice for any individual. All answers to reader questions are provided for informational purposes only. All information presented on our websites should not be construed as medical consultation or instruction. You should take no action solely on the basis of this publication’s contents. Readers are advised to consult a health professional about any issue regarding their health and well-being. While the information found on our websites is believed to be sensible and accurate based on the author’s best judgment, readers who fail to seek counsel from appropriate health professionals assume risk of any potential ill effects. The opinions expressed in Newsmaxhealth.com and Newsmax.com do not necessarily reflect those of Newsmax Media. Please note that this advice is generic and not specific to any individual. You should consult with your doctor before undertaking any medical or nutritional course of action.